About This Class
The first step in developing healthy leaders is to be a healthy church. This means you have to decide what type of church you want to be. Dr. Breshears will help you think through what being a biblical church looks like.
About the Professor
Gerry Breshears
Dr. Gerry Breshears is a professor of theology and program director of the Master of Applied Biblical Leadership degree at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He accepted Christ as his personal savior when he was eight years old and after spending four years (during his high school and college years) intellectually skeptical of Christianity, he recommitted to being a disciple of Christ.
Lessons
Understand what the church truly is by distinguishing between its biblical identity as a community of redeemed believers and its broader sociological role. Examine the church as a priesthood of all believers, evaluate its relationship to culture—from prophetic witness to cultural compromise—and assess the church’s mission as a joy-filled, grace-driven disciple-making community that impacts society through service, righteousness, and invitation rather than condemnation or political power.
0% CompleteDr. Breshears assesses church organization and authority, emphasizing Scripture as the ultimate guide. It examines leadership models like pastor rule, elder team rule, and congregational democracy, highlighting who holds decision-making power. The unique role of the apostles and the value of congregational input are also discussed. While governance models vary, the key message is that all church structure and function should align with biblical teaching, with Scripture as the final authority.
0% Complete- Learn Dr. Breshears’ local church leadership principles: focus on equipping, inspiring, empowering, unifying, exemplifying, caring for, overseeing, and shepherding members. Rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizes servant leadership.0% Complete
This lesson outlines key principles of church leadership and governance. Elders guide teaching, while deacons lead ministry teams. It stresses active membership, mutual commitment, and using one’s gifts in ministry. Clear processes and bylaws help build trust.
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